In brief: Hamilton wins A.L. MVP award

Baseball: Josh Hamilton thought back to the days when his career was derailed by drugs and alcohol.

“I would say a 99 percent chance that this would never happen,” he said. “I mean, honestly, I think a lot of people would agree with that.”

In one of baseball’s most inspirational turnarounds, the Texas Rangers outfielder was a runaway winner of the American League’s Most Valuable Player award Tuesday. Hamilton received 22 first-place votes and 358 points from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Former Cincinnati Reds teammate Joey Votto was voted the N.L. MVP a day earlier.

Hamilton overcame eight trips to rehabilitation for addiction to lead the major leagues in batting average (.359) and slugging percentage (.633) and help the Rangers reach their first World Series. He had 32 homers and 100 RBIs despite missing time nearly all of September because of two broken ribs.

After going on the disabled list in 2001 while in the minors, he became addicted to alcohol and cocaine. He didn’t play from 2003-05.

Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera was second with five first-place votes and 262 points after leading the A.L. with 126 RBIs and a .420 on-base percentage. The Yankees’ Robinson Cano was next with 229 points. Toronto’s Jose Bautista, who led the major leagues with 54 homers, had the remaining first-place vote and 165 points.

Associated Press

Robertson won’t return to Indians

Baseball: Bob Robertson is stepping away from the Spokane Indians broadcast duties to spend more time with his wife and family at their home in Tacoma.

“While this is sad news, we as an organization are very supportive of Bob’s decision and were fortunate to have him as our broadcaster for over a decade,” said Indians managing partner Bobby Brett.

Robertson has called four Northwest League Championships in his 12 seasons with the Indians and was awarded the Joe Martin Award in 2005 from the Northwest League.

Robertson is just completing his 44th season as the voice of WSU football.